New Aircraft Design and Aerodynamics Planned

Aircraft technologies being developed to meet industry-set targets to cut noise and CO2 emissions by 50% and NOx by 80% of 2000 levels by 2020.

(May 15, 2008) -- The Society of British Aerospace Companies (SBAC) today publishes a briefing paper examining aircraft technology and emissions. This is the sixth in a series of briefing papers demonstrating the technological progress being made by the aviation industry to reduce flying's impact on the environment.


Emissions from aircraft that impact on the environment include:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
- Water vapour (H2O), which in certain conditions can form condensation trails or cirrus clouds.

To reduce these emissions the aviation industry is developing improved aircraft aerodynamics, ways to reduce aircraft weight and measures to use electrical means to power aircraft systems rather than hydraulic or pneumatic systems that use power from the engines - contributing to fuel burn and increased emissions. The improvements being investigated are examined in the briefing paper.

Ian Godden, SBAC Chief Executive, said:

"Aviation currently produces around 2 per cent of global man-made carbon dioxide emissions. However, the industry has set itself tough targets to reduce our environmental impact still further.

"We aim to cut carbon dioxide emissions and noise from aircraft by 50 per cent of 2000 levels by 2020 and NOx emissions by 80 per cent over the same period. Achieving these targets will require innovation in all areas of aircraft design - no single technology will deliver the solution. The SBAC briefing papers seek to demonstrate how each of these technologies - from alternative fuels to airframe and engine manufacture - plays its part in delivering aviation that continues to be sustainable both economically and environmentally.

"Aerospace manufacturers are determined to meet the demand of their customers - both airlines and passengers - to reduce the impact of flying on the environment. To do that they are developing new ideas and engineering processes to make aircraft fly through the air more efficiently, consuming less fuel and producing fewer emissions. Fuel use can be further reduced by running aircraft systems on electrical power rather than directly from the engines."

Source : SBAC